October 3, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Yorktown Parents and Guardians,

Next week is fall Spirit Week and Homecoming! We’re excited to celebrate all week leading up to the homecoming dance Saturday night in the Yorktown Gym. We encourage you to speak with your child(ren) about a plan to stay safe and enjoy the activities. This includes discussing transportation there and home, substance use, or other risky behaviors. A reminder that bags and coats will be checked at the entrance. Thank you for your support and collaboration to make the events safe and enjoyable for our students.

A reminder that Wednesday, October 8th is PSAT day for students in grades 10 and 11, with students in 9th and 12th grades completing Asynchronous work (more information below). Also, Monday, October 13 is a no school day for students.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Kevin Clark, Principal

In this message:

• What’s Happening at Yorktown
• Counseling Corner
• Activities Updates
• Senior Updates
• Technology Corner
• Upcoming Dates
• 2025-26 PTA Information

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Custodian Appreciation Day

Happy Custodian Appreciation Day! Thanks to our hard working custodians who make sure the building is clean and safe. They are critical members of the team. Take a moment to thank a custodian today!

Spirit Week and Homecoming

See the themes below!

Monday, 10/6: Movie Monday. Dress like your favorite character, or wear a shirt from your favorite movie!

Tuesday, 10/7: PJ Day

Thursday, 10/9: Crazy Hair Day

Friday, 10/10: Red Carpet Red-Out. Dress in as much red clothing as possible!

Spirit Week and Homecoming Events

The Homecoming Dance will be from 8:00 to 11:00 on Saturday, 10/11 in the Gym.

• Ticket sales go live online at www.gofan.co on Wednesday, October 1. Digital tickets cost $22 due to a service fee.
• In-person ticket sales will begin on Monday, 10/6 during all 3 lunch periods at the atrium concession stand. Physical tickets cost $20.
• Guests of YHS students will need to complete a guest pass before purchasing.  Guest tickets can be purchased in person or online (after submitting the guest pass form to the Activities office at which time the student will receive a code to purchase online).
• All YHS students will need to show their StudentVue or student ID at the entrance to the dance.  Guests will need to produce a form of photo identification which will be matched to the name on the guest pass.
• All bags and coats will be checked at the entrance. Students in possession of alcohol, nicotine, drugs or other items not allowed at school or under the influence will be denied entrance and have appropriate consequences. Parents should be available to pick up students as needed.

The Homecoming football game will be Friday, October 10th at 7 pm against West Springfield.

Fall Pep Rally – Adjusted Schedule October 10

The Fall Pep Rally is on October 10th!  It will be a normal ODD schedule with a combined Patriot Period and third period.  There will be no third period instruction on Friday, October 10.  Students who attend Arlington Career Center (ACC) can stay for the Pep Rally but parents will need to notify ACC of the absence.

PSAT and School-Day SAT (Oct. 8th) Information

All 10th and 11th grade students are scheduled to take the PSAT/NMSQT exam on Wednesday, October 8th at 8:20.  English teachers will help students install the testing App “Bluebook” during English classes in the next 2 weeks.  Parents who have questions about the test or test day procedures may refer to this Google Slides for more information. All information in the Google slides is also being shared with students during English classes. Some 12th grade students will take the School-Day SAT.

Remaining 9th & 12th grade students will have an asynchronous virtual day. Bus transportation is provided at normal times. Students will be dismissed from school after completing the test at 11:30 am. Students can provide their own transportation home at that time. Students may stay at school in the cafeteria or in their programs until 3:10pm if they need bus transportation.

COUNSELING CORNER

Due to the government shutdown and the uncertainty around it, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the emotional and financial stress this situation may be placing on many of our students and their families. Some may be facing uncertainty around basic needs, housing, or family employment, and this can deeply affect their ability to focus, engage, and thrive in the classroom.

If you notice your students showing signs of distress—withdrawal, irritability, fatigue, or changes in behavior—please don’t hesitate to reach out to the counseling department. We’re here to partner with you in providing care and stability during this time.

Change in Counseling Staff

Unfortunately, counselor, Ms. Bourciquot is leaving Yorktown HS. The counseling department has a short term plan in place to cover her students with staff within the building, while we are actively working to find a more permanent replacement.

Advisory Information

Tuesday, October 7:

9th Grade: SchooLinks Introduction and Academic Check Ins

10th-12th Grades: Introduction to Student Services and Academic Check Ins

Beyond APS: Career and College Fair 2025

Each year, APS hosts a college fair to offer students resources, information and networking for college and career opportunities. This year it will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd St. S.).

Last school year, representatives from over 130 colleges, universities, and trade schools were available to answer questions on various topics, including admissions, academics, campus life, student population, and so much more.

Local community and scholarship organizations were also present to provide helpful resources to families. Please use this link to see a list of colleges who will be there and to register for the event.

Signs Of Suicide Lessons for 10th Graders

This year school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.

SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.

Through the program, students learn:

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help
• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
• who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it

On October 16th and 17th, school counselors and student services team staff will visit 10th grade English classes to facilitate this year’s SOS lesson and conversation. Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.

At the end of class, students will complete an exit slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk.

We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program please contact your child’s school counselor.

If you would like to opt your student out of participating, please use this link to the SOS Opt-Out form.

Senior Virtual Support Sessions: Ready, Set, Go!

This is a series of virtual information sessions designed to support seniors—and their families—through the college application process. Hosted in collaboration with all college and career counselors across Arlington Public Schools, these sessions will cover key topics such as the Common App, essay writing support, financial aid, and more.Open to all Seniors and their families, all sessions will be listed in SchooLinks under the Events section. Be sure to register to receive the session link!

• How to Pay for College  – Thursday October 16th, 7pm

Join Jimmy Mauger, Associate Director of Financial Aid, Marymount Univ., as he explains the different ways to help pay for college. Topics include Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), CSS Profile, Scholarships, and more! Use this link to register.

Post-Secondary Planning Help Sessions

Lunches Assistance

12th graders are invited to room 107, the College and Career Office, during their lunches to ask questions and get assistance with their post-secondary planning.  This includes, but is not limited to, college applications, common app accounts, Schoolinks functions, workforce and gap year questions, etc.  The sessions started this week and will continue through October.

Patriot Period Post-Secondary Work Sessions

Additionally, counselors will be holding help sessions for 12th graders in October in the cafeteria during Patriot Period regarding their post-secondary plans.  We are organizing them by Patriot Period teachers, but do recognize that most of these days are free choice days.  More communication to come about how the students will be released to attend the sessions.

Schoolinks

We have a new college and career platform for students this year called Schoolinks, which is replacing Naviance.  Please refer to the videos below for more grade specific information about the platform:

• Information and how-to video for 9th and 10th graders
• Information and how-to video for 11th and 12th graders

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Club of the Week

The YHS Club of the Week is the Fitness Accountability Club. This club will support students in achieving their personal fitness goals through education, accountability, and peer mentorship. The club will foster a positive environment where members can learn about effective fitness strategies, share progress, and stay motivated. The Club will promote physical and mental well-being across campus. By encouraging healthy habits, goal setting, and peer support, the club will contribute to a more energized, confident, and connected student body. It also provides leadership opportunities and fosters inclusivity by welcoming all fitness levels. See Ms.  Kooiman & or Ms. Shreeve for more information.

Upcoming Home Events

Where to find Athletics Information

Athletic Website – www.yorktownsports.org

Athletic Twitter – @yhssports

Athletic Instagram – @yhssports

Athletic Specific Sport Information – www.teamapp.com

Athletic Registration – https://yorktownhs-ar.rschooltoday.com/

Girls Flag Football Begins October 6 

Yorktown will once again offer girls’ flag football, welcoming those students who want to play at the intramural level and the more competitive level.  The group will host internal games as well as play in some local interscholastic tournaments. Anyone interested in getting more information and staying up to date, should sign up for an account in Stack Team App and search for/join YHS – Girls Flag Football.

SENIOR UPDATES

Be sure to bookmark the Seniors website which is linked on the Yorktown HS home page under Quicklinks and loaded with information for senior year.

Senior Portraits

Senior Portrait makeups will take place at school on October 22-23. Please visit schedule.prestigeportraits.com. To locate your appointment code, enter Yorktown High School’s zip code (22207) and enter “Yorktown.” After you verify student details, you will be able to confirm your appointment. If you have any questions, please contact Lifetouch Prestige customer service (855-918-2930) or email [email protected].

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar or the APS Calendar for more information:

• Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – PSAT Day & School Day SAT
• Monday, October 13, 2025 – No school for students, Professional Learning
• Monday, October 20, 2025 – Holiday – Diwali
• Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Early Release, Professional Learning